Newborn dead after family dog attacks

A 2-week-old baby died early Sunday after being attacked by the family's dog in northwest Harris County, authorities said.

The boy was in an infant carrier on the floor in a room of the house when the dog, a Labrador mix, began sniffing the baby and then mauling him.

His mother was outside the house, watching the baby through a window, said Thomas Gilliland, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The dog had been behind a pair of French doors but pushed through them before approaching the baby. No one else was in the room, Gilliland said.

Family members pulled the dog off and placed it in a kennel, authorities said.

The infant was taken by LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Hospital around 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, but died about five hours later, he said.

Deputies were interviewing family members Sunday. They would not release their identities.

Neighbor Kevin Patcha expressed sympathy for the couple, who recently started renting the house.

"It's terrible and unexpected," he said. "I can't think of anything that would have led to this incident."

Experts warned that even a family dog with no history of aggression can suddenly attack in new situations.

"When an unfamiliar smelling, wiggling squealing tiny being is left alone they may go to investigate. The baby was unfamiliar and the dog investigates as a dog does," certified dog behavior consultant Jennifer Shryock said.

Dogs should never be left alone with newborns, she warned.

DogsBite.org recorded 33 fatal dog attacks in 2010. Fifteen of the victims were 4 or younger, according to the website. Most recently, a 9-day-old baby was mauled to death earlier this month in North Carolina.

"Just like all relationships, a dog needs time to become familiar with the new baby in the home," she said, adding that fatal attacks are rare.

Investigators will determine whether the incident occurred because of negligence or an accident, Gilliland said.

Animal control has taken charge of the dog, who will be quarantined for 10 days. Authorities will determined the fate of the dog.